The idea that you have to starve yourself to lose weight and diet is very popular and misleading. The simple word "diet" can make us feel both dread and hunger at the same time. However, this is extremely false! 
The concept of "diet" is always associated with giving up certain foods, eating boring things, and abandoning any cravings or tastes for junk food forever.
But a balanced, portion-controlled diet could be all you need to improve your diet and see PERMANENT changes in your physique. That's where the problem with diets lies: they don't work because they're impossible to maintain for a lifetime.
The ideal way to truly see results and MAINTAIN THEM (the hardest part) is to make changes in your diet that you can maintain forever. That's why we should focus on permanent changes to our lifestyle instead of concentrating our efforts on restrictive diets.
It's VERY NORMAL to regain a few pounds when you remove restrictions from your diet or eliminate it altogether. Pounds and inches lost through dieting and starvation will come back like a boomerang—that's almost a guarantee—but it doesn't have to be in your case because #TEAMSUPREX is here, and our specialty is supporting you.
The rebound effect is very common in people who abandon their diets or stray slightly. Here are some simple tips and recommendations for starting a permanent change to your lifestyle and/or diet:
- Keep a journal and inventory of what you eat. This should be one of the first things you do. Be honest.
- Make a list of the things you are NOT willing to give up eating.
- Be REALISTIC about foods that are problematic when it comes to weight loss (sweets, flours, fats, junk food) because these CAN STALL YOU in your wellness goals.
- Plan arrangements or compromises based on your tastes: not EVERYTHING you love will have a permanent, prominent place in your diet.
- Search online for a variety of foods and flavorful recipes that you can use to replace those comfort foods you love that are high in sugar and fat. This way, you'll have an alternative ready when the craving hits, and you'll run a lower risk of "sinning."
- Eliminate foods from your shopping list that are extremely harmful to your well-being and slow down your goals. Even if you can treat yourself once every two weeks, it's NEVER a good idea to have temptation readily available in your kitchen.
- Double (yes, double) your vegetable and fruit intake. These (especially vegetables) are a very effective way to reach and maintain your weight goals because they're incredibly filling, boost your metabolism, and help regulate your digestive system due to their high fiber content. You'll feel fuller for longer and go to the bathroom more regularly.
- Little by little, reduce portions until you reach a stable and easy-to-maintain balance between the right amount of food your body needs and what makes you feel satisfied.
- Make the switch from simple to complex carbohydrates.
Finally, don't forget that being human is normal, and humans make mistakes. You may fail once in a while, but learn to be patient and forgive those mistakes. Like everything in life, you need to wait calmly, as permanent results and weight loss take time. Do this, and you won't forget to focus.